Sam Bartram Memorial Cup

Charlton Athletic to support Boldon CA

I’m happy to bring news of another local football event worthy of your support, after standing around freezing on the Dragon in South Shields this morning watching local pub teams playing each other.

Boldon Neighbourhood Management Initiative, which is supported by Home and South Tyneside Council, has come up with a special way to commemorate one of the town’s footballing heroes.

They have organised the Sam Bartram Memorial Cup, to commemorate his unsurpassed career as a goalkeeper for Charlton Athletic Football Club.

South Shields born Sam, who passed away in 1981 aged 67, played for Boldon Villa in the early 1930s before being spotted and signed by Charlton Athletic, with whom he went on to play a record 623 games, including back-to-back FA Cup Finals, one of which they won.

The game, between Boldon Villa and Cleadon FC, is to be played at Boldon CA and, in preparation, some of the town’s young people got together to spruce up Sam’s old ground

The match will take place on February 28 with the warm up match between community workers and parents against kids starting at 6.15pm. The inaugural Sam Bartram Trophy match will kick off at around 7.15pm. A reception and buffet will take place after the games and Mike Blake, author of Sam Bartram: The Story of a Goalkeeping Legend, will make the presentations.

Boldon Neighbourhood Manager, Maria Anderson, said: “Everyone is really excited about the football match and it is testament to their enthusiasm that the young people have worked tirelessly to get the ground ready for action.

“They have moved wood and cut down some trees which were being used by people to access the grounds. Work will then begin to use the salvageable pieces of fencing to repair the existing structure and give it a fresh coat of paint.

“We are also looking for funding to help modernise the club’s ground so that the its future can be secured into the next century.

“We want the whole community to get behind the event and come along on the evening to enjoy this fantastic tribute.”

Charlton Athletic Football Club is supporting the event by sending strips for the team and a signed goalkeeper’s top for ‘the Villa’ to display in the clubhouse. Also supporting the event are South Tyneside Council, Boldon Neighbourhood Management Initiative and Youth Project and Home, through its Supporting Communities Fund, which is paying for the magnificent trophy.

So, if you fancy a little bit of football and a buffet, why not get along there, and if you have a business or particularly deep pockets, why not take your cheque book with you!